Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday met automobile Industry leaders to give boost to automobile loading through Railways.

Representatives of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Ford Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, Honda India, and Maruti Suzuki Ltd, The Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTOs), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), attended the meeting and lauded  the initiative and committed to work in partnership with Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of automobiles through railways.

"Indian Railways is attaining new heights in transportation of automobiles. The total loading of automobiles through Railway was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes 2019-20. And in the first six months of the current year (Apr to Sep), Indian Railway has loaded 836 rakes of automobiles against 731 rakes in the previous year (despite almost negligible loading in the first two months)," the ministry said in a statement.

Railways are aiming to achieve a modal share of 20 per cent by the end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30% by 2023-24, it said.

The participants in the interaction were informed about the steps taken by Railways to promote loading of automobiles, which has led to this quantum jump and were asked to bring more loading to Rail.

The ministry said that  slew of steps have been taken to facilitate automobile loading.

Representatives of the industry were all praise for the Railways for the help and support being extended to them and confirmed that efforts will be on to bring more and more loading towards Railway, it said. Participant were informed that more terminals being opened up for Automobile traffic (as per demands of the industry) Charodi (WR), Bakshi Ka Talab (NER), Mesra (ECR). Also, export to Bangladesh in BCACBM rakes being planned in coordination with Bangladesh Railway, it added.

The ministry further said that participants were assured that all possible help will be extended to them and all their concerns and issues will be addressed on priority.